Adjustable drain

ABSTRACT

A drain assembly includes a receptacle body with a first end and a second end defining a cavity therebetween, an adjustable collar and a grate. The first end of the receptacle body forms an opening into the cavity and comprises a peripheral step with a connection flange extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, and a peripheral flange with a substantially horizontal support portion extending away from the connection flange. The connection flange includes a series of vertical slots for accommodating horizontally-oriented fastening members, and the connection flange and the peripheral flange define a channel therebetween. The adjustable collar comprises a first flange positioned adjacent to the connection flange of the peripheral step, and a second flange extending substantially perpendicular from the first flange. The first flange includes a series of holes which align with the series of vertical slots in the connection flange. The grate is positioned over the opening of the receptacle body.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/831,855 entitled “Adjustable Drain” filed Jul. 19, 2006, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a drain assembly, more particularly, toa drain assembly with an adjustable collar.

2. Description of Related Art

Floor drain assemblies are widely installed in the floors of structureswhere there will be or is the potential for water to be present. Floordrain assemblies connect the floor to a waste removal system such as astorm or sanitary sewer. A variety of floor drain assemblies alsoinclude a collar that is adapted to secure linoleum or otherwaterproofing material between the collar and the body of the drainassembly.

For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,246,582 to Wade et al discloses anadjustable square drain wherein the height of the drain may be adjustedby an adjustable square collar. The square collar is telescopicallyadjustable. This telescopic adjustment is provided by four setadjustment heights for collar via the use of four different-sizedinserted pads.

Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,706 to Barnes discloses a fitting assembly fora vinyl-lined pool. A vinyl liner is sandwiched between a clamping ringand a fitting that is placed in a concrete wall of the pool. A fasteneris used to secure the sandwiched connection between the vinyl liner andthe ring and fitting.

However, such prior art drains do not include collars that may beadjusted vertically to accommodate for uneven flooring, and to ensurethat the top edges of the drain and grate do not protrude from the flooror are sunken into the floor.

Accordingly, a need exists for a drain assembly with an adjustablecollar that can be adjusted vertically to accommodate for unevenflooring. A further need exists for a drain assembly that can beinstalled quickly, easily and efficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a drain assembly comprising areceptacle body with a first end and a second end defining a cavitytherebetween and an adjustable collar. The first end of the receptaclebody forms an opening into the cavity and includes a peripheral stepwith a connection flange extending substantially perpendicularlytherefrom, and a peripheral flange with a substantially horizontalsupport portion extending away from the connection flange. Theconnection flange includes a series of passageways for accommodatingfastening members oriented in a first direction, and the connectionflange and the peripheral flange define a channel therebetween. Theadjustable collar includes a first flange positioned adjacent to theconnection flange of the peripheral step, and a second flange extendingsubstantially perpendicular from the first flange. The first flangeincludes a series of holes which align with the series of passageways inthe connection flange. A grate supported by the peripheral step of thefirst end of the receptacle body may be positioned over the opening ofthe receptacle body.

The passageways may be elongated in a second direction. The firstdirection may be opposite of the second direction. For instance, thefirst direction may be horizontal and the second direction may bevertical.

Flooring, waterproofing material, linoleum or any combination thereofmay be fitted in the channel between the connection and the peripheralflange and secured between the second flange of the adjustable collarand the peripheral flange by tightening the fastening members positionedin the passageways of the connection flange and the series of holes inthe first flange. The passageways in the connection flange allow theheight of the adjustable collar to be adjusted to accommodate for unevenflooring.

The peripheral flange may be connected to the first end of thereceptacle body. Further, the second end of the receptacle body may beconfigured to receive a pipe. The grate, adjustable collar andreceptacle body may be constructed from stainless steel, and thereceptacle body may have a generally rectangular shape.

The present invention is also a method for attaching flooring to a drainassembly. The method includes the steps of providing a drain assembly.The drain assembly includes a receptacle body with a first end and asecond end defining a cavity therebetween. The first end forms anopening into the cavity. The receptacle body includes a peripheral stepwith a connection flange extending substantially perpendicularlytherefrom. The connection flange includes a series of passageways foraccommodating fastening members oriented in a first direction. Thereceptacle body also includes a peripheral flange with a substantiallyhorizontal support portion extending away from the connection flange.The connection flange and the peripheral flange define a channeltherebetween. The drain assembly also includes an adjustable collarcomprising a first flange positioned adjacent to the connection flangeof the peripheral step and a second flange extending substantiallyperpendicular from the first flange. The first flange includes a seriesof holes which align with the series of passageways in the connectionflange. Once the drain assembly has been provided, the method continuesby fitting flooring material in the channel between the connectionflange and the peripheral flange. Next, the fastening members positionedin the passageways of the connection flange and the series of holes inthe first flange of the adjustable collar are tightened thereby securingthe flooring between the second flange of the adjustable collar and theperipheral flange.

The passageways may be elongated in a second direction. The firstdirection may be opposite of the second direction. For instance, thefirst direction may be horizontal and the second direction may bevertical.

The second end of the receptacle body may be coupled to a pipe. Thepassageways in the connection flange may be configured to allow theheight of the adjustable collar to be adjusted to accommodate for unevenflooring. A grate may be positioned over the opening of the receptaclebody. The grate may be supported by the peripheral step.

These and other features and characteristics of the present invention,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structures and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. As used in the specification and the claims, thesingular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a drain assembly in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drain assembly in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drain assembly of FIG. 2 with agrate removed therefrom;

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded portion of a view of the drain assemblyof FIG. 3 enlarged for magnification purposes; and

FIG. 5 is a portion of a view of the drain assembly of FIG. 4 enlargedfor magnification purposes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”,“right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”,“longitudinal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention asit is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understoodthat the invention may assume various alternative variations, exceptwhere expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understoodthat the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings, anddescribed in the following specification, are simply exemplaryembodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein arenot to be considered as limiting.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, a drain assembly, denoted generally asreference numeral 1, includes a receptacle body 3 with a first end 5 anda second end 7 defining a cavity 9 therebetween, an adjustable collar 11and a grate 13. Receptacle body 3 is generally rectangular in shapeincluding four sides.

First end 5 of receptacle body 3 forms an opening 15 into cavity 9, andincludes a peripheral step 17 with a connection flange 19 extendingsubstantially perpendicularly therefrom. Grate 13 is positioned overopening 15 of receptacle body 3 and supported by peripheral step 17.First end 5 of receptacle body 3 also includes a peripheral flange 21with a substantially horizontal support portion 23 extending away fromconnection flange 19. Peripheral flange 21 may be welded to first end 5of receptacle body 3 or may be formed integrally with receptacle body 3or attached to the receptacle body 3 in any other manner.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, connection flange 19 includes a series ofelongated, vertically oriented slots 25 (such as substantiallyelliptical shaped) for accommodating horizontally-oriented fasteningmembers 27. Connection flange 19 extends peripherally around receptaclebody 3 and includes four sides. Each side includes any necessary numberof slots 25 and corresponding fastening members 27. The slots 25 includea width W and a length L. The width W is less than the length L. Thefastening member 27 includes a shaft 27 a and a base 27 b. The shaft 27a has a diameter that is slightly less than the width W and less thanthe length L. The shaft 27 a has a size that is greater than the width Wand preferably less than the length L. An exemplary embodiment, asillustrated in the figures, includes three slots 25 and fasteningmembers 27 for two parallel sides and two slots 25 and fastening members27 for the other two parallel sides. Connection flange 19 and peripheralflange 21 also define a channel or passageway 29 therebetween.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, adjustable collar 11 includes a first flange31 positioned adjacent to connection flange 19 of peripheral step 17 anda second flange 33 extending substantially perpendicular from firstflange 31. First flange 31 includes a series of holes 35 which alignwith the series of slots 25 in connection flange 19.

Referring to FIG. 1, second end 7 of receptacle body 3 is configuredwith an opening 36 to allow for a connection of a pipe 39 thereto. Pipe39 may be connected to opening 36 of second end 7 of receptacle body 3by welding pipe 39 thereto. Opening 36 may also be configured withthreads (not shown) to allow for a threaded connection between opening36 and pipe 39. Any other suitable connections of pipe 39 to opening 36are also envisioned.

Drain assembly 1 of the present invention is installed via the followingsteps. First, drain assembly 1 is positioned in an appropriate sizedopening in a floor. Next, flooring material 37 is fitted in channel 29between connection flange 19 and peripheral flange 21. Flooring material37 may be any appropriate flooring material such as, but not limited to,linoleum and waterproofing material. Flooring material 37 is thensecured between second flange 33 of adjustable collar 11 and peripheralflange 21 by passing fastening members 27 through slots 25 of connectionflange 19 and the series of holes 35 in first flange 31 of adjustablecollar 11 and then tightening fastening members 27. Vertical slots 25 inconnection flange 19 allow the height of adjustable collar 11 to beadjusted to accommodate for uneven flooring. Finally, an appropriatesized pipe 39 is securely fastened via welding or any other appropriatemethod to opening 36 in second end 7 of receptacle body 3.

Drain assembly 1 is positioned in a floor of a structure where therewill be or is the potential for water to be present. Pipe 39 allowsdrain assembly 1 to connect the floor to a waste removal system such asa storm or sanitary sewer.

Drain assembly 1 preferably provides a fluid tight seal between itselfand flooring material 37. Further, slots 25 of connection flange 21allow for vertical adjustments of adjustable collar 11 to compensate foruneven flooring. This allows for drain assembly 1 to be positioned on afloor without protruding from the floor or creating a recess in thefloor and creating a pleasant flat appearance between the interface offlooring material 37 and grate 13 even if flooring material 37 is unevenor sloped adjacent to grate 13.

While the embodiments were described hereinabove in relation to a floordrain assembly, this is not to be construed as limiting as other usesfor drain assembly 1 of the present invention have been envisioned, suchas for use as a roof drain assembly. Further, while drain assembly 1 hasbeen described as having a generally rectangular shape, this is also notto be construed as limiting as a variety of other configurations ofdrain assembly 1 have been envisioned, such as circular, triangular andthe like.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose ofillustration based on what is currently considered to be the mostpractical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that suchdetail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limitedto the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to covermodifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. For example; it is to be understood thatthe present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one ormore features of any embodiment can be combined with one or morefeatures of any other embodiment.

1. A drain assembly comprising: a) a receptacle body with a first endand a second end defining a cavity therebetween, the first end formingan opening into the cavity, the receptacle body comprising: i) aperipheral step with a connection flange extending substantiallyperpendicularly therefrom, the connection flange including a series ofpassageways for accommodating fastening members oriented in a firstdirection; and ii) a peripheral flange with a substantially horizontalsupport portion extending away from the connection flange, theconnection flange and the peripheral flange defining a channeltherebetween; and b) an adjustable collar comprising a first flangepositioned adjacent to the connection flange of the peripheral step anda second flange extending substantially perpendicular from the firstflange, the first flange including a series of holes which align withthe series of passageways in the connection flange.
 2. The drainassembly of claim 1, wherein the passageways are elongated in a seconddirection.
 3. The drain assembly of claim 2, wherein the first directionis opposite of the second direction.
 4. The drain assembly of claim 3,wherein the first direction is horizontal and the second direction isvertical.
 5. The drain assembly of claim 1, wherein flooring,waterproofing material, linoleum or any combination thereof is fitted inthe channel between the connection flange and the peripheral flange andsecured between the second flange of the adjustable collar and theperipheral flange by tightening the fastening members positioned in thepassageways of the connection flange and the series of holes in thefirst flange of the adjustable collar.
 6. The drain assembly of claim 1,wherein the peripheral flange is connected to the first end of thereceptacle body.
 7. The drain assembly of claim 1, wherein the secondend of the receptacle body is configured to receive a pipe.
 8. The drainassembly of claim 7, wherein the pipe is connected to the second end ofthe receptacle body.
 9. The drain assembly of claim 1, wherein thepassageways in the connection flange allow the height of the adjustablecollar to be adjusted to accommodate for uneven flooring.
 10. The drainassembly of claim 1 further comprising: c) a grate positioned over theopening of the receptacle body.
 11. The drain assembly of claim 10,wherein the grate is supported by the peripheral step.
 12. The drainassembly of claim 1, wherein the receptacle body has a generallyrectangular shape.
 13. A method for attaching flooring to a drainassembly comprising the steps of: providing a drain assembly comprising:a receptacle body with a first end and a second end defining a cavitytherebetween, the first end forming an opening into the cavity, thereceptacle body comprising: a peripheral step with a connection flangeextending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, the connection flangeincluding a series of passageways for accommodating fastening membersoriented in a first direction; and a peripheral flange with asubstantially horizontal support portion extending away from theconnection flange, the connection flange and the peripheral flangedefining a channel therebetween; and an adjustable collar comprising afirst flange positioned adjacent to the connection flange of theperipheral step and a second flange extending substantiallyperpendicular from the first flange, the first flange including a seriesof holes which align with the series of passageways in the connectionflange; fitting flooring in the channel between the connection flangeand the peripheral flange; and tightening the fastening memberspositioned in the passageways of the connection flange and the series ofholes in the first flange of the adjustable collar thereby securing theflooring between the second flange of the adjustable collar and theperipheral flange.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the passagewaysare elongated in a second direction.
 15. The method of claim 14, whereinthe first direction is opposite of the second direction.
 16. The methodof claim 15, wherein the first direction is horizontal and the seconddirection is vertical.
 17. The method of claim 13, further comprisingcoupling the second end of the receptacle body to a pipe.
 18. The methodof claim 13, wherein the passageways in the connection flange allow theheight of the adjustable collar to be adjusted to accommodate for unevenflooring.
 19. The method of claim 13 further comprising positioning agrate over the opening of the receptacle body, wherein the grate issupported by the peripheral step.
 20. A drain assembly comprising: areceptacle body having a peripheral step, a connection flange with aseries of passageways extending substantially perpendicularly from theperipheral step; and an adjustable collar comprising a first flangepositioned adjacent to the connection flange of the peripheral step anda second flange extending substantially perpendicular from the firstflange, the first flange including a series of holes which align withthe series of passageways in the connection flange.